In an ambitious endeavour to enhance green cover and combat the escalating impacts of climate change, the Government of Uttar Pradesh has announced plans to plant 37 crore saplings across the state on July 9, 2025, under the banner of Mission Green Uttar Pradesh. The initiative, which aspires to set a global record for the most saplings planted in a single day, reflects the state’s heightened commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development.
According to officials from the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, preparations for the massive plantation drive have been underway for several months. Saplings of diverse native species, including neem, peepal, banyan, and fruit-bearing trees, are being cultivated in government nurseries and distributed to designated plantation sites. The campaign will mobilize participation from a broad spectrum of stakeholders—government agencies, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, farmers, and the general public.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized the urgency of large-scale reforestation during a recent press briefing in Lucknow. “The impact of climate change is evident in the form of rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and deteriorating air quality. Through this record-setting plantation drive, Uttar Pradesh will reaffirm its leadership in environmental protection and demonstrate how collective action can address ecological challenges,” he stated.
The Mission Green Uttar Pradesh plantation campaign is designed not only to increase the state’s forest cover but also to generate employment opportunities and improve soil fertility. Officials project that the initiative will help sequester thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, providing a significant boost to India’s climate action commitments under the Paris Agreement.
To ensure the success and survival of the 37 crore saplings, the government has introduced an extensive monitoring framework. Each plantation site will be geo-tagged, and survival rates will be tracked using satellite imagery and mobile applications. Local communities have been engaged to take ownership of sapling maintenance, with incentives planned for villages and districts that achieve high survival percentages.
Environmental experts have welcomed the plantation drive while underscoring the importance of long-term stewardship. Dr. Neha Srivastava, an ecologist at Banaras Hindu University, remarked, “Planting trees is critical, but the real impact depends on the survival and growth of these saplings over the next decade. It is encouraging to see that the state has put monitoring systems in place to track progress.”
The government has also launched a comprehensive public awareness campaign to encourage citizens to participate. Messages promoting the benefits of tree planting—ranging from improved air quality to biodiversity preservation—are being disseminated through print, electronic, and social media platforms.
Uttar Pradesh previously garnered attention in 2020 when it planted more than 25 crore saplings in a day. The upcoming effort to plant 37 crore saplings in 24 hours will surpass this milestone, potentially setting a new Guinness World Record.
